Dean Brody to Kick Off 2017 at NHL Centennial Classic

Dean Brody to Kick Off 2017 by Performing the National Anthem at the NHL Centennial Classic

Country is taking over the NHL Centennial Classic and we couldn’t be more excited. From performances by Dean Brody, Cold Creek County to “The Voice” season 11 runner-up Billy Gilman, the NHL Centennial Classic is gearing up to be much more than a game.

The National Hockey League (NHL) announced game day plans for the 2017 Scotiabank NHL Centennial Classic™ much-anticipated Original Six™ rivalry game between the stars of today’s Maple Leafs and Red Wings on Sunday, Jan. 1 at 3 p.m. ET (SN, TVAS, NBC) at Exhibition Stadium (170 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto).

On New Year’s Day, the festivities will begin with a pregame ceremony in which 33 members of the 100 Greatest NHL Players presented by Molson Canadian who played predominantly during the NHL’s first half century (1917-1966) will be announced. The 100 Greatest NHL Players presented by Molson Canadian is a centerpiece of honoring 100 years of NHL hockey, with the remaining 66 members of the prestigious list unveiled in a special event during the 2017 Honda NHL® All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.

After the Maple Leafs and Red Wings file out onto the field, “The Voice” season 11 runner-up Billy Gilman will perform the U.S. national anthem. Country music star Dean Brody’s performance of the Canadian national anthem will be immediately followed by a flypast featuring two CF-18s flown by Capt. Roy Vincken and Capt. Chris Swartz of 3 Wing Bagotville of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 433 Squadron. A ceremonial puck drop will close the pregame festivities.

As previously announced, the first intermission will feature a performance by multi-platinum recording artist Bryan Adams. Canadian country rock group Cold Creek County will take the stage during the second intermission for a special rendition of the Stompin’ Tom Connors classic, “The Hockey Song.”

If you’re a fan of both hockey and country, there is no better place to kick off 2017 than at the NHL Centennial Classic.